Por Vida Mezcal & Mexican — Restaurant in Oakville

“A Fiesta of Flavors: Unforgettable Dishes and Exceptional Service at Por Vida Mezcal & Mexican”

My recent dining experience at Por Vida Mezcal & Mexican was nothing short of spectacular, with each dish and every moment surpassing expectations. From the warm welcome by the hostesses to the expertly crafted cuisine, every detail contributed to an unforgettable evening.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by the friendly hostesses of Por Vida Mezcal & Mexican, whose warmth set the tone for the rest of the evening. Their attentive service continued throughout the meal, ensuring that we felt valued and well-cared for.

One remarkable aspect of our visit was the exceptional kindness and hospitality of the manager, Gabriela. Despite not having reservations, Gabriela went above and beyond to accommodate us, making arrangements to ensure we could enjoy our dining experience without delay. Her gracious demeanor and dedication to customer satisfaction left a lasting impression on us and truly enhanced our evening.

Equally noteworthy was the outstanding service provided by our server, Manon. With a genuine smile and a wealth of knowledge about the menu, Manon guided us through our dining experience with grace and professionalism. Her incredible recommendations highlighted her deep understanding of the menu's offerings, and her expertise in navigating the drink menu ensured that each selection perfectly complemented our meal.

As we perused the menu, we were intrigued by the diverse selection of Mexican delights. We started our culinary journey with the irresistible guacamole, prepared with fresh avocados and a perfect balance of spices. It was the ideal appetizer to whet our appetites for what was to come.

For our main dishes, we opted for the Chicken Norteño Tacos and the Birria Quesadillas, both of which were absolute standouts. The Chicken Norteño Tacos were a symphony of flavors, with tender chicken, grilled onions, and peppers, all nestled in warm tortillas and topped with a zesty salsa verde. Each bite was a burst of deliciousness, leaving us craving more.

The Birria Quesadillas were equally impressive, featuring succulent shredded beef enveloped in gooey cheese and toasted to perfection. Served with a side of rich consommé for dipping, they were a true taste sensation, with layers of savory goodness in every bite.

To accompany our meal, we enjoyed classic margaritas made with top-shelf tequila and freshly squeezed lime juice, expertly crafted by the talented bartenders at Por Vida Mezcal & Mexican. Their attention to detail and commitment to quality shone through in every sip.

Throughout the evening, the service at Por Vida Mezcal & Mexican was exemplary. Manon's attentiveness and dedication, along with Gabriela's leadership, set the tone for the entire staff. Their genuine hospitality added an extra layer of enjoyment to our meal, making us feel like cherished guests from start to finish.

In conclusion, dining at Por Vida Mezcal & Mexican was a fiesta of flavors for the senses. From the mouthwatering dishes to the impeccable service, every aspect of our meal was a testament to the passion and dedication of the staff. I wholeheartedly recommend Por Vida Mezcal & Mexican to anyone seeking an unforgettable dining experience, and I look forward to returning soon for another...

The atmosphere at the restaurant was nice, creating a cozy ambiance on the heated patio. However, the service and food quality were disappointing. We arrived as a group of four at 8:15 on a Monday and were seated within 5 minutes. I decided to try the all-you-can-eat tacos, while my friends ordered various entrees. Our fifth member joined us around 9:00, at which point only my first order of two tiny tacos had arrived, while the rest of us had been waiting for almost 45 minutes with just drinks, chips, and guacamole.

The slow service caused confusion when our late-arriving friend saw that I had finished my tacos and thought we had all eaten. For the next 10 minutes, we tried to explain that no one had received their food except for me cause he didn’t believe the service was that slow! Eventually, I got my second round of tacos, and everyone except one person received their entrees. Unfortunately, the missing entree belonged to one of us who had arrived at 8:15. Time passed and everyone was eating their food but still we had one entree missing, at this point the wait was so long that the friend with the missing entree chose to cancel it. The server apologized and agreed to cancel the order.

We had specific dietary requests at our table: one person is gluten-free (no problem, as the tortillas are corn); one dislikes tomatoes (no pico); one doesn't like cilantro; and one is lactose intolerant (no crema). Despite these requests, the kitchen made several mistakes. My tacos arrived with cilantro, which I asked to be fixed. They returned with cilantro simply picked off, which was still visible and unappetizing to me. The gluten-free guest, who also does not drink alcohol, received a mango margarita instead of the non-alcoholic mango drink he ordered (they removed this from the bill). The guest who dislikes tomatoes received carne asada tacos with no pico and avocado on the side, which was not requested like that but wasn't a major issue. Lastly, the lactose-intolerant guest received a bowl with no crema or cheese, but the pico de gallo was forgotten, leaving him with an unappealing and dry dish of rice, steak, avocado, and greens that he barely touched.

After waiting for what felt like an unreasonable amount of time and with one friend’s meal still missing, the lactose-intolerant guest and his girlfriend, (the one who had cancelled her entree), decided to leave and get McDonald’s from around the corner. This was particularly disappointing since we had not all been together in over a year and a half and had hoped for a nice, enjoyable dinner. To make matters worse, we were charged for the canceled entree. We only found out after paying ! Overall, the experience was frustrating and marred what should have been a...

TikTok convinced my boyfriend and I that we needed to check this place out. We saw multiple videos about it and both had a day off so we decided to make the 45 minute drive to get there for the all you can eat. The first place we noticed was the overall atmosphere, which we both absolutely loved. The food was also great. We both tried a few different tacos and loved every single one, but we both agreed that the birria was our favourite. So good! Unfortunately, where this place lacks is the service. After our second round of tacos, someone came and took our plates and then we waited for someone to come take our next order, except they didn't. We just sat and waited, and watched other tables be brought more tacos while no one came to us. We sat and watched three staff members, including our server, spend time behind the bar just chatting. Just waited, very obviously ready to order more but no one was coming. Finally our server went to the far end of the table beside us and was adjusting the silverware that was already out while still not coming to our table so I called down and asked her if we could please order. Then she came and took our order. That was pretty much the last we saw of her. My boyfriends came out in about the amount of time you'd expect, but mine didn't come. He was going to wait but I told him to eat so he did and even by the time he was done that round, mine still hadn't come out. Another server named Layna or Nayna (sorry, it was loud and I had a hard time hearing but I am going to go with Layna and I am so sorry if I am getting your name wrong!) came to take his plate and ask if we were ready to order more. We explained that he was ready to order more, but that I was still waiting for my order that I had ordered at the same time as his last ones. She asked what kind I was waiting for and then when I told her she went back and she brought them out immediately! She then took our order for our next ones and we asked to please get the churros (which were amazing!) at the same time as we were in a bit of a rush at that point. She even let me order tacos with absolutely nothing except the meat on it with no judgement because I'm an absolutely boring basic person like that (lol). She was very quick with the next ones as well, and after that she said she wasn't rushing at all but asked if we were ready for the bill since I had mentioned we were in a rush. We were, and she also brought that over very quickly. Layna was absolutely amazing, but the rest of the service really made me regret driving so far to try...